Expandable Tape

ABSTRACT

A widthwise expandable tape is provided, the tape having a first adhesive side, a second adhesive side, and a flexible region between the two. The tape is adapted to be expandable and contractable in a widthwise direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to adhesive devices. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a widthwise expandabletape.

Description of Related Art

During many interior construction, manufacturing, and/or maintenanceprojects, it is often desirable to tape up plastic or other protectivesheeting to walls, ceilings, floors, other sheets, and the like. Thisserves to isolate certain areas from dust, paint, dust, and othermaterial that may spread during the work. This sheeting is oftendifficult to hold in place, especially for an extended period of time.This difficulty can be caused by wind or other air flow in the interior(even the opening and closing of a door), as well as bumping the sheets,stepping on them, pushing them to the side when entering/exiting thesheeted area, and the like. In these cases, the plastic sheeting can bepulled away from the tape and will fall off, causing either the spreadof the undesirable material, or a stoppage in work to re-apply theplastic sheet.

Therefore, what is needed is a device that may allow plastic sheetingand other material to be taped up in a work area that may also provide aresilience against movement to keep the taping attached.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases,interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem,and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article.

In one aspect, a widthwise expandable tape is provided. The tape has afirst adhesive strip defining one lengthwise edge of the widthwiseexpandable tape, and a second adhesive strip defining the otherlengthwise edge of the widthwise expandable tape. Adhesive is disposedon a bottom face of each strip. A flexible region joins the first andsecond strip such that they are parallel, or at least approximatelyparallel (at an angle less than 45 degrees to each other) when at rest.The flexible region is adapted to allow a movement of the secondadhesive strip with respect to the first adhesive strip upon anapplication of a force to one of the strips.

In another aspect, a protective hanging system in a room of a buildingis provided. The system comprises a wall, and a sheet, the wall andsheet being connected together by a widthwise expandable tape. The tapehas a first adhesive strip defining one lengthwise edge of the widthwiseexpandable tape, and a second adhesive strip defining the otherlengthwise edge of the widthwise expandable tape. Adhesive is disposedon a bottom face of each strip. A bellows-shaped flexible region joinsthe first and second strip such that they are parallel or at leastapproximately parallel when at rest. The flexible region is adapted toallow a movement of the second adhesive strip with respect to the firstadhesive strip upon an application of a force to one of the strips. Invarying embodiments, the flexible region may deform slightly under aweight of the plastic sheets, or may be resilient enough to support thesheet without deformation.

In yet another aspect, a widthwise expandable tape wrapped about a rolland packaged is provided. The tape has a first adhesive strip definingone lengthwise edge of the widthwise expandable tape, and a secondadhesive strip defining the other lengthwise edge of the widthwiseexpandable tape. Adhesive is disposed on a bottom face of each strip. Abellows-shaped flexible region joins the first and second strip suchthat they are parallel or at least approximately parallel when at rest.The flexible region is adapted to allow a movement of the secondadhesive strip with respect to the first adhesive strip upon anapplication of a force to one of the strips. The tape is wrapped androlled around, for example, a spool, having a first portion of the tapeover a second portion. In this embodiment, the tape can be efficientlypackaged and distributed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 provides a front view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 provides a side view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 provides a top view of an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a room having sheets held in placeby an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of an embodiment the presentinvention in a rolled form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodimentsof the invention and does not represent the only forms in which thepresent invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The descriptionsets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing andoperating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.

Generally, the present invention concerns a tape having a first adhesiveside, a second adhesive side, and a flexible region between the two. Thetape is adapted to be expandable and contractable in a widthwisedirection. In one embodiment, the flexible region may be a bellowsstructure allowing expansion and contraction.

In an embodiment of use, the tape may be used to connect plastic orsimilar protective sheets to walls, floors, ceilings, and the like forprotecting an area during an interior construction, maintenance,manufacturing processes, and the like. The tape, by virtue of itswidthwise expandability, more resiliently holds the sheets in place andcan accommodate slight movement of the sheets without being pulled off asurface to which the tape is attached.

The tape of the present invention may be provided in any manner to aconsumer. In a particular embodiment, the tape may be provided in aroll. In a further embodiment, the tape may be provided in a roll havinga liner between the adhesive layer and a top of a tape layer below theliner.

The tape may be formed of any material capable of having an adhesiveapplied to a bottom portion, and capable of supporting two items adheredtogether. Examples of materials of which the tape may be made include,but are not limited to plastics, paper, metal, fabrics, elastomers,composites, and the like. Preferably, the flexible region may be made ofa material capable of flexion, and/or capable of being pre-formed in abellows profile.

The sheets which the tape contemplated herein is intended to be hung mayvary in weight from approximately 0.5-5 pounds. As such, the tapeflexible region is resilient enough to not substantially deform under aweight of the sheets. In most embodiments, multiple strips of the tapewill be used to support a single sheet, such that while a single stripmay deform under the weight of the entire sheet, it will only besupporting a portion of the sheet's weight.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an embodiment of theexpandable tape is shown. The tape 1 has two adhesive strips 11 onopposite widthwise ends of its body. These strips 11 are flat regionshaving an adhesive 12 disposed on a bottom surface thereof. Between thetwo strips 11, and connecting them together, is a flexible region 10.This flexible region 10 is shown in this figure as having a bellowsprofile. However, it should be understood that the flexible region maybe formed in any manner allowing it to contract and expand in awidthwise direction, thereby allowing the adhesive strips 11, orportions thereof, to move towards and away from each other relative tothe width of the tape 1.

FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 provide a frontal, side and top view, respectively, ofan embodiment of the tape. As with FIG. 1, strips 11 are positioned onboth sides of the tape, with the flexible region 10 connecting the two.This structure allows the adhesive strips 11 to move towards and awayfrom each other relative to the width of the tape 1.

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a room having a plurality ofplastic sheets taped up around a work area using the tape of the presentinvention. The room 50 has sheets 51 blocking off an area of the room50. This area is protected from dust, paint, particles, and the like. Anumber of tape strips 1 are used to connect the plastic sheets to thewalls, and to each other. Each tape strip 1 comprises two of theadhesive strips, and the flexible region 10. Upon application of a force(be it wind, a contact, or otherwise), the flexible region 10 moves,allowing the strips and sheet to move to accommodate this force.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of the tape of the present inventionon a roll. Roll 60 shows the tape in a rolled fashion, with the adhesivestrips 11 aligned as well as the bellows-shaped flexible portion of thisembodiment.

While several variations of the present invention have been illustratedby way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparentthat further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scopeof the present invention, or the inventive concept thereof. However, itis to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptationsare within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and areinclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as setforth.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hanging system in a room of a buildingcomprising: at least one of a wall and a ceiling; a sheet; and wherein afirst side of the sheet is connected to the at least one of the wall andthe ceiling by a first widthwise expandable tape and a second widthwiseexpandable tape, wherein the first widthwise expandable tape is spacedapart from the second widthwise expandable tape, each of the firstwidthwise expandable tape and second widthwise expandable tapecomprising: a first adhesive strip defining one lengthwise edge of thewidthwise expandable tape; a second adhesive strip defining the otherlengthwise edge of the widthwise expandable tape; and a flexible regionconnecting the first adhesive strip to the second adhesive strip, theflexible region adapted to allow a movement of the second adhesive stripwith respect to the first adhesive strip upon an application of a forceto at least one of the first adhesive strip and the second adhesivestrip.
 2. The hanging system of claim 1 further comprising a third pieceof the widthwise expandable tape connecting the sheet to one of a secondwall, the ceiling, a floor, and a second sheet.
 3. The hanging system ofclaim 1 wherein the first widthwise expandable tape comprises a firstquantity of adhesive disposed on a bottom face of the first adhesivestrip.
 4. The hanging system of claim 1 wherein the first widthwiseexpandable tape comprises a second quantity of adhesive disposed on abottom face of the second adhesive strip.
 5. The hanging system of claim1 wherein the first widthwise expandable tape expandable region isformed having a bellows shape.
 6. The hanging system of claim 1 whereinthe first adhesive strip and second adhesive strip of the firstwidthwise expandable tape are substantially parallel when at rest. 7.The hanging system of claim 1 wherein the first and second widthwiseexpandable tapes allow a force applied to the sheet to be transferred toat least one of the first and second tape flexible portion.
 8. Thehanging system of claim 1 wherein the sheet is a plastic sheet.
 9. Thehanging system of claim 1 wherein the flexible region of the firstwidthwise expandable tape is adapted to allow a movement of the secondadhesive strip with respect to the first adhesive strip upon anapplication of the force greater than approximately 0.5 lb to at leastone of the first adhesive strip and the second adhesive strip.
 10. Thehanging system of claim 5 wherein the bellows of the tape are rounded.11. The hanging system of claim 5 wherein the bellows of the tape areangled.
 12. The hanging system of claim 1 wherein a spacing between thefirst widthwise expandable tape and the second widthwise expandable tapeallows for a spacing between the sheet and the at least one of the walland the ceiling allowing a passage of air between the sheet and the atleast one of the wall and the ceiling.
 13. A tape assembly for use in aroom of a building comprising: a sheet; and a first widthwise expandabletape, and a second widthwise expandable tape each comprising: a firstadhesive strip defining one lengthwise edge of the widthwise expandabletape; a second adhesive strip defining the other lengthwise edge of thewidthwise expandable tape; and a flexible region connecting the firstadhesive strip to the second adhesive strip, the flexible region adaptedto allow a movement of the second adhesive strip with respect to thefirst adhesive strip upon an application of a force to at least one ofthe first adhesive strip and the second adhesive strip; wherein thefirst adhesive strip of each of the first and second widthwiseexpandable tape is connected to the sheet, wherein the first widthwiseexpandable tape is spaced apart from the second widthwise expandabletape.
 14. The tape assembly of claim 13 wherein the first widthwiseexpandable tape expandable region is formed having a bellows shape. 15.The tape assembly of claim 13 wherein the second adhesive strip of thefirst widthwise expandable tape is connected to one of a wall, aceiling, and a second sheet.
 16. The tape assembly of claim 15 whereinthe first and second widthwise expandable tapes allow a force applied tothe sheet to be transferred to at least one of the first and second tapeflexible portion.
 17. The tape assembly of claim 13 wherein the firstadhesive strip and second adhesive strip of the first widthwiseexpandable tape are substantially parallel when at rest.
 18. The tapeassembly of claim 13 wherein the flexible region of the first widthwiseexpandable tape is adapted to allow a movement of the second adhesivestrip with respect to the first adhesive strip upon an application ofthe force greater than approximately 0.5 lb to at least one of the firstadhesive strip and the second adhesive strip.
 19. The tape assembly ofclaim 13 the first widthwise expandable tape comprises a first quantityof adhesive disposed on a bottom face of the first adhesive strip. 20.The tape assembly of claim 13 wherein the first widthwise expandabletape comprises a second quantity of adhesive disposed on a bottom faceof the second adhesive strip.